Backyard Birds

Recently when I experienced a hard drive crash, I ultimately lost so much of my writing and photography work. PAINFUL lesson on the supreme importance of verifying one’s backup procedures. Couple that with having spent the summer in Florida away from my birds who seemingly have come to depend on my feeding and caring for them, I have truly been mourning my losses. Seriously! The backyard birds have been slowly returning to the feeding stations and enjoying the huge holly tree that I refer to as “Air Traffic Control.” The holly tree was picked clean of berries at the end of winter by a convergence of robust robins and beloved Cedar Waxwings. That was a process to observe!!! I most often see robins on the ground searching for the proverbial WORM. So, for me, it was a new experience to see them arrive in flock and devour the holly berries sometimes 5 or 6 berries at a time. This occurred over several days. Then, one cold late afternoon, I caught a glimpse of what looked like the mysterious Zorro-masked Cedar Waxwing in an opening in the holly. Could it be? My heart began to race as I grabbed my camera to zoom and there he was standing sentry while yet another waxwing plucked the berries from further within the tree. But back to the Return of the Red-bellied Woodpecker. I’ve had to be patient as the backyard birds slowly began to trust again after my absence, so I’ve been enjoying the Northern Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, the Mockingbird, my soul-mates the Mourning Doves, Carolina Chickadees, the precious little Downy Woodpeckers and House Finches. How I have longed to see the Red-bellied Woodpecker return, but no sign of one until yesterday. And such a return it was! She flew right outside my window as I was working at my computer and nearly took my breath away. So striking, different and colorful as she crouched on a limb surveying the area before she moved to the suet feeder. I was able to capture one good photo of her and gave thanks that I had received such a blessing in that moment. My, what wonders our Creator has done and continues to do in our world of...

This morning is the kind of morning I really enjoy. We have a soft, constant rain. The lawn needs it, the birds LOVE it and it is quite relaxing to just listen to. My home-office is in my guestroom which has a large window outside which I have a crepe myrtle with two bird feeders. I ALWAYS have my camera, loaded and ready to go! As I write, I can glance out the window to enjoy the bird activity. Today has been amazing. So much activity. Titmice, goldfinches, house finches, white-breasted nuthatch, little Downy woodpeckers, many cardinals, an irritating starling or two or three, brown thrashers and a blue jay. All flying in and out taking their turns at the feeders with the female cardinal and brown thrasher hanging in for longer anticipating their male partners will come with a morsel of nourishment to fill their tummies and soothe their souls. Ah, soul mates!! The rain does so much for us…watering our crops, washing away pollen, and the birds perched in a tree drink from the leaves as they flutter away having a little bath and preening. Fun to watch and I must give thanks to our Creator for such imagination in His Creation that always provides a great moment of communing for me. Praise...

As a child, I never asked my daddy exactly what he meant when he would exclaim, “Some days chickens, some days feathers!” I had my own interpretation. I figured it meant when one is chasing a chicken, you might catch the chicken, if you’re lucky, or you just might grab a bunch of feathers and that’s it. Sort of an “Oh, well…” I grew up in the city, but our next door neighbor had a housekeeper/cook who all the neighborhood kids liked to watch her S-T-R-E-T-C-H a chicken’s neck out across a tree stump and whack it’s head off! Then, of course, came the fun part of watching the headless chicken run around the yard until it dropped over…dead. I watched with enjoyment then, but today…I absolutely could not watch it all happen today. :-0 But this post is not about chopping a chicken’s head off. It’s about how some days are better than others, some periods in our lives are easier than others and how when we walk in faith, we have the assurance that “This too shall pass.” Whether our struggle is getting through a life-threatening diagnosis, dealing with a long drawn out illness, raising a young family through YEARS of unemployment or searching for the purpose in one’s life, we DO know that our Creator is with us through it all and will guide us out of the wilderness. When I captured this photo of this young male cardinal this morning, I have to admit I said to myself, “Bless his heart!” He does, indeed, look so pitiful with his young little feathers piercing through his dark gray skin looking like a new hairstyle gone very bad! But, just as soon as I had those thoughts, my thoughts jumped to the brilliantly handsome look he will have in just a couple of months…as God finishes his daily attire that brings so much color and life to our world. So for him TODAY I say, “Some days chickens, some days feathers…just a lot more feathers for...

It’s a rainy day off and on. Good day to work at my computer and view the wildlife out my window as they move about as the rain subsides. Mockingbird, European Starling, Tufted Titmouse, cardinals and….the bluebird I haven’t seen recently at my feeders. The bluebird gives me a peaceful and blessed feeling they are so pretty. I saw a flash of brown. Grabbed my camera and kept snapping away. What is that? Too fast and skippy for me to get a good shot as he jumped from one branch to another, turning around and all I get is the backside. THEN, my opportunity! There he is perched, still, looking right in the window at me. It’s a young Carolina Wren…flitting, jumping, then mesmerized at my sight, I suppose. I see his fuzzy, feathery chest and tummy area moving with the breeze and that precious little expression we see on fledglings’ faces. The mouth looking as if he is bewildered and desperately wanting something to eat. Wrens are clinging birds so they usually do quite well hanging from a suet feeder, but this little guy looked like he was questioning his skills. As I snapped the camera, I said, “Go on little one, take a chance. Everybody’s got to learn and you can do it.” Again, in a flash, he flew...

Our little speck of earth here in NC surely needed some rain yesterday! Though one of my rose bushes is lying on the ground now, I do give thanks for this nourishment from the Lord. Those of us in a book study reading “One Thousand Gifts” are taking a new look a Grace and what God’s generosity in our lives really means to our earthly existence. We’ve been discussing the daily gifts that so often go unrecognized and, of course, there’s been discussion on THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL, Jesus Christ himself. Some of us have been much like ole Santa Claus in making our lists and checking them twice, thrice or a whole passle of times with joy renewed each time as we come to new realization of just how many gifts we receive EACH day! How long has it been since you have INTENTIONALLY considered your gifts received? After the rain yesterday, it seemed it had been declared the time for our feathered friends to primp and clean up a bit. Fun to watch. Some very comical poses for the watching camera. I like this little male house finch taking advantage of the raindrops falling one at a time from leaves above and cleansing his pollen-ridden feathers. Such a sight! God, thank you for the gift of rain yesterday…and for the birds who thoroughly enjoyed...

The Northern Cardinal is no doubt one of the most popular birds…among those that are selected as State Bird in the USA. The Northern Cardinal is State Bird for seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. So what makes this bird one of our favorites? Is it the flashing red color of the male? Perhaps, it’s because we love to hear them sing their melodious songs to one another? Or maybe it’s because the paler female has a beauty all her own. My guess is that it’s all of these that form the crowd around the voting table for one’s favorite backyard bird. I like watching a male sit and watch for his mate to come hither after hearing his little click-click-click sound. Usually, I see him doing this when he is near my feeder. It isn’t too long before she comes flying in beckoning his call. When the cardinals are courting, it’s quite entertaining to watch. She sits in the tree near the feeder but not approaching it. She slightly flutters her wings a little. He gets the seed and comes to sit right next to her, cracks it open and gets it just right for her and then feeds her…over and over. It is believed that she is testing him out to see how well he would “provide for the family.” He also is quite protective of his intended mate and if another male comes nearby, he takes care of that situation immediately. One day I actually watched one male chase another male around the big holly tree numerous times before the 2nd hopeful suitor finally gave up. Quite entertaining. Remember to fill your...

The birds that frequent my backyard feeders have grown to 21 species now and it is heart-warming to see them get along, take turns and co-exist in harmony. Though it may be the plan of nature for them to bicker from time to time, this disturbs me. When the House Sparrow Bullies arrived, I quickly determined how to get rid of them while not discouraging my “friendlier” feathered friends. About 10 days ago, I was thrilled to catch sight of my first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at my suet feeder. He was just chipping away and enjoying the treat while I was enjoying the photo op his arrival presented. Then, came Mr. Cardinal, the most recent “manager of the backyard.” The beautiful robust cardinal landed right on top of the opposite corner of the suet feeder and the sapsucker certainly took notice. I LOVED their interaction and imagined this exchange of thoughts: Cardinal: “Well, so you’re the new kid on the block! Glad to have you as long as you realize I am in charge here!” Sapsucker: “Uh, sure thing…the suet is really tasty. Now, tell me, please, do I also have to be on the lookout for a mockingbird here? Cardinal: “Haven’t seen him lately. Just hang with me, kid.” And all was...

Valentine’s Day is for everyone! I use the day to send “love note” reminders to my daughters…who will ALWAYS be my Loves…to my precious grandchildren who fill my life immeasurably with joy and to special friends who are, indeed, my chosen family. Since my divorce in 1995…wow! THAT was a while back…I have not had the romantic Valentine experiences we see on TV and that’s OK! But I do treat my self to special indulgence on this day. Today, I greeted the world early, gave thanks to the Lord and headed straight to my coffee pot. Today’s treat is a 16 oz. hazelnut cream decaf and a toasted English muffin with Nutella! Yum! Have you tried Nutella? It’s a smooth blend of hazelnuts, milk and cocoa. As I moved to my computer to check on the world’s happenings, it was as if my recently reacquainted bluebirds seized the opportunity to spread a bit of their joy early in the day. “Hello, Love” I heard him say as he posed for my camera. “Thanks for the suet & berries, and enjoy your day!” From my needle pointing days, my girls will chuckle to read: A bell isn’t a bell until you ring it, A song isn’t a song until you sing it. And the love in your heart Wasn’t put there to stay – Love isn’t love ‘Til you give it away. Thank you, Oscar Hammerstein and the “Sound of...

OK, so all week I have been working through my feelings about how this congregation of robins has transplanted themselves in my yard and have been devouring the berries on my HUGE holly tree. Reminding myself that the berries are there for wildlife…so, they do belong. That didn’t really help. They are just so insatiable! They fly away, my “regular” birds immediately return, eat some berries, chirp and all seems well again. Sigh! But, the robins zoom back in as if on a specific search & destroy mission. I grab my camera thinking at least I can get something good out of this. Each time they come, they appear totally voracious…gobble, gobble, gobble! Geez!! It’s been rainy the last couple of days, so as I was walking out of church this morning, I noticed numerous worms on the sidewalk. “WORMS!! That’s what robins are supposed to eat.” I actually considered finding something to scoop them up and transport to my backyard, but decided that might hurt my already ailing back, so I didn’t. Got home and a little later saw the robins ‘ focused fly-in again, the fluttering of their wings to balance their big bodies on the not-so-sturdy limbs with the enticing berries out there on the end. I’m thinking, “work for it, baby!” I noticed the the top half of the tree is nearly void of any berries now and they are working their way south. I wish they REALLY would fly south! Then, as I’m in the kitchen chopping peppers for my chili, I see an entire HOST of birds so high up in my neighbor’s big, ancient oak tree! I said out loud, “Good grief, look at all those robins…they just look like a bunch of vultures hanging around up there! What are they waiting for, why don’t they just come on and finish the holly off!” I got my camera again because I liked the silhouette effect I was seeing and thought a photo or two would be in order. First, as I zoomed, I thought, “robin’s don’t have have crests. Hmm…” Then, I nearly choked from gasping, “oh, my goodness, robin’s don’t have yellow tipped tails!” What I saw was lurking up in the tree so high was an “earfull” of Cedar Waxwings. I have never seen a waxwing around here. Saw some in the mountains. These were too far away for me to get a good photo but I got enough to see their Zorro-masked faces, pale yellow under body and the yellow-tipped tail. Wow!!! Had I not looked up because of the lurking robins…I would not have seen the prize. Isn’t that the way it is!...

Who doesn’t love the American Robin? To me, the bird has always signified motherhood, family and all those sentimental memories that make us feel warm and fuzzy. I even named one of my daughters Robin, for heaven’s sake! One of the treasures in my backyard that many birds frequent is the Holly Tree! Nuthatches, chickadees, cardinals, mockingbirds, blue jays, house finches, sparrows, and my beloved Tufted Titmouse use it as shelter, a resting place and dine on the berries. Yesterday, as my coffee was brewing, I was enjoying a look out the kitchen window. All of a sudden, I felt like I was standing on the USS Nimitz watching a fly-over. There had to be at least 20 robins flying in, out and around the holly tree. Some would perch for a bit while others fluttered their wings and took flight again. This continued for a few minutes so I got my camera to capture a few photos. The robins were devouring the holly berries. I captured on video a robin eating SIX berries one right after the other. It was, at times, comical to watch the big birds, not really known that much for perching, flapping their wings to balance themselves as they leaned over to grab a berry or two. I saw more than a couple quickly fly away without much grace at all having lost their balance. The next thing I observed was that I didn’t see any nuthatches or chickadees or cardinals…guess they decided to take cover elsewhere. Smart little birds I thought. After the congregation of robins left, my “regulars” recognized the coast was clear and returned to their usual carrying on. I do know that even the American Robin migrates when temperatures get really cold flying south until they arrive in an area warm enough for the winter. Some that are very hardy will winter-over in colder areas knowing what their food and shelter sources are. They are known to arrive in flock, just as “mine” did, and holly berries are what they’re after. My tree is pretty big and I have always felt that if I am away for an extended vacation, my birds always have the holly on which to dine. Well, there’s less holly now because the dive-bombing robins are back today! The top of the holly tree is already somewhat barren looking today. So, I’m deep into a visualization therapy today…I’m seeing a warm spring day where I have noticed a sweet robin’s nest with pretty blue eggs ready to hatch and the mother robin is on the ground checking for a worm. I already feel...

Many backyard birders like offering suet for their birds year round. It’s fine to do, you just don’t get as much bang for your buck during the heat of summer because the really high temperatures will melt the high fat content. Also, you don’t want to leave it our for an extended time in the high heat temps because it can become rancid. During the cold weather, putting out suet for your birds is a treat, but also a real boost to their metabolism. The high fat content is what they need during the extreme cold to raise their body temperature. Eating and digesting the suet’s high caloric content helps their little bodies to burn the calories and create energy. And energy in the cold, cold winter is exactly what they need. Offering suet in the winter when insects and seeds as less available, you will find your birds coming to your suet feeder frequently. There are various suet products you can purchase. I find the suet cakes the easiest to use and I have the small clinging birds as well as the larger birds like the mockingbird and brown thrasher enjoying it. The Downy Woodpeckers came to my when I first started using a suet feeder. Now, they are regular and frequent diners!...

Today has been cold and windy…making it feel colder than it really was. The birds have been so active in the yard, scurrying around, feeding frequently and interacting with one another…and ME! My resident mockingbird keeps a close watch on me when I am outside. I recall one day as I was in my kitchen photographing him through the window, I was surprised when he made perfect eye contact and flew straight toward me! Surely wish I had had my camera set on video because it would have been a priceless capture. Today though, I have observed him on his “regular” perch high up on the holly tree overseeing the yard and all the other visitors in a peaceful and stoic manner. I got several photos of him even allowing two finches to rest just inches away enjoying the sun as well. I like the markings on his wings and think he looks somewhat handsome in his attire. Must be the bath he had in Wednesday’s...

Even in sunny North Carolina we have some winter days that chill to the bone. When we dip into the 20s and have high winds, most of us feel like we are freezing! This morning, with wind gusts up to 35 mph and as my coffee was brewing, I noticed a beautiful male house finch perched high up on the holly tree basking in the sun. I snapped a couple of photos and returned to my computer with my coffee and started my day. Later, glancing out the window, I saw the rosy finch still in his favorite spot so I zoomed in on him discovering he was so comfy in the warm sun and under our Carolina blue sky that he had begun to nap a bit. Not a bad idea at...

Rainy days change our moods, behavior and schedules. For this Mockingbird Duo, our rainy day offered quite an opportunity. I enjoy watching them and wondering just what their casual glances to one another mean. Click “Read More” and enjoy watching the mockingbirds take opportunity in the soft rain!

“Birds of a feather flock together.” It’s more than an old proverb, it’s true! We can learn so much from our feathered friends. As I sit at work at my computer, my backyard birds alert me to approaching bad weather. They all…many species at once, come to load up from my feeders to catch a bite or two before the hard rain or stormy weather arrives. I sit and watch what seems like an air traffic control tower as they zoom in and out taking their turn. I admit that I am amazed at how fast their fly-ins are and I have yet to see a collision! I enjoy observing their behavior and especially when I see a pair huddling together to stay close. During cold weather, birds will huddle together to stay warm and will even join others on a very cold night roosting together. Birds are not that different from humans regarding survival techniques. Like humans, birds shiver in extreme weather and moving their bodies’ muscles creates warmth. They fluff their feathers which creates an “insulation” to protect their little bodies. What a pretty and peaceful capture of these two house finches as they remain close. Togetherness provides more than just physical...

I love the underdog. Winning underdogs quickly become my heroes. Now, God has graced me with a true-to-the-spirit love of nature…especially birds. So, watching, feeding, learning from and sharing my backyard birds with others is joyous to me. My photography skills have grown into more than a pass time or leisure activity. Some say it all brings out the best in me. WELL! Today, two of my frequent bird visitors…no, they are residents…stirred up a vengeful feeling and some jeering that I do NOT admire. Here’s what happened… I had been working at my computer and was on a business call when I noticed my ever-watchful mockingbird swoop down from his perch high on the holly tree and dive-bomb my precious, tiny little female downy woodpecker as she just arrived to nourish herself at the suet feeder. Immediately, I wanted to scream but couldn’t because I was still on that call. I did watch the mocking bird to see if he was going to grab a bite while down from his monitoring post. But, NO! He just flew right back up to take his reign again. So, in essence, he just didn’t want the little downy to eat. Bad, bad bird! Very quickly I saw a Tufted Titmouse fly in and it was interested in some suet as well. Right on cue, down came the mockingbird and scared that little bird away. I began to feel the anger rising. Mockingbirds are known to be very territorial and dive-bombing dogs, cats, even people. But, I…being the bird-lover that I am, have included the mockingbird in my enjoyment and love and probably have from time to time been an obnoxious “not in my backyard” advocate for my kind, more socially adept mockingbird. After all, he makes me laugh when he tries to eat from the twirling suet feeder and his big body drops straight down to the ground. I get great entertainment watching him bathe in a soft rain! But, today was different. I thought to myself, “It’s a good thing I don’t have a pellet gun.” But, a few minutes later, my applauding, jeering and “at-aways” burst from my lips as I saw FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER the little downy had perched herself high up on the holly tree! That mockingbird thinks he OWNS the holly tree. I enjoyed that moment immensely as she carefully looked up, looked to the right and to the left. No mockingbird in sight. So, she just sat there for a while, basking in the sun and the knowledge that she was in control, in HIS tree and her self-esteem was soaring. I grabbed my camera and captured the triumphant moment. The little downy then flew to the suet feeder she loves and nourished her winning spirit…and mine, as...

Sometimes the activity of birds let us know when weather changes are coming. There’s always a flurry around my backyard feeders that alerts me that inclement weather is on its way. The birds seem to be getting their last bit of food in case of extended weather that might prevent them from nourishing themselves for a while. Come to think of it, we humans do the same thing! I always chuckle to myself when a weather report indicates snow or ice may be just around the corner. The bread and milk shelves at the grocery store seem empty awfully quick. One can see almost all your acquaintances in the check-out lines. As today’s rain began to slow down, the feeders were heavily populated once more and some were perched on high at the holly tree fluffing their feathers as they caught a nice soft bath compliments of our...

I recall with excitement the day I saw my first bluebird visiting at my feeder. Bluebirds don’t usually eat from back yard feeders as they prefer insects, berries and fruits. However, the bluebirds seem to have an interest in my high fat suet feeder. Because of their beautiful bright color, there’s no mistaking what you see. I was working at my computer in the guest room and glanced out the window and such a sight it was! I had my camera nearby so I was able to snap a pretty good photo of this bird. A friend has had bluebirds nesting in her yard for years. I was a little envious. One day, I watched her clean the nest out which is a healthy thing to do for the birds. The count of bluebirds dropped significantly not too many years back because of harsh winters and use of dangerous pesticides. In America, there has been a calling to provide nest boxes for bluebirds to build their nests in and it has had a positive effect. Counts are Up! The male and female are not monogamous and DNA testing of eggs has indicated the eggs are not always from the “supposed father” tending to the female and nest. If a male loses his mate to tragedy as can happen in the bird world, he will quickly seek another mate. They may have multiple broods in a year. Their bright royal blue coloring, I suppose, is what makes me feel they are royalty of the...

One of the most enjoyable feathered friends at my backyard feeder is the Downy Woodpecker. It’sNorth America’s smallest woodpecker. I see them feeding along with chickadees, nuthatches and titmice frequently. The male and female look the same except for the bright red patch on the back of the male’s head. Juvenile males have the red cap which later becomes the patch more on the nape of the neck. In winter, they come to my suet feeder frequently as the suet is a high energy blend. The Downy is quite the acrobat with its clinging feet that enables it to climb, hang and move quickly into flight. They forage on trees with insects and are never far from their nest in cavities. Both male and female feed the little ones. I remember the joy when I witnessed the first Downy visit my feeder. It was the male who would come. At first, he was cautious and quick as lightening. He would grab a little suet and off he would go. For the first while I saw him twice a day usually in the morning and then again at “suppertime.” Now, the female visits also and I have thought it was just one pair. They visit so frequently throughout the day that I’m thinking the word of good suet has spread and I have a flock making the...

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Good Use Of Rainy Days

Who I AM

I am a lover of nature and the gift of life. Inspired daily by the blessings of my children and grandchildren, I have had rewarding careers in education and United Way. I enjoy birding, photography, writing and life-long learning. I am passionate about furthering conservation of our environment and especially bird habitats. I have a close walk with my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. As a 15 year breast cancer survivor, I believe strongly in Living With A Hopeful Heart and am committed to advocating for early detection and spreading the message of hope for all. My post-breast cancer life motto is "Don't Waste the Miracle!" So, I'm all about living, loving and building memories with my family and friends and, hopefully, leaving this world a little better.

About My Blog

Life is a journey and each of us has our own experiences along the way. We have trials, challenges and great joys. I believe God places us on earth supplied with daily gifts to brighten our days and bring meaning to our lives. How do you find your joy? Are you an inspiration seeker?
I'm here to share with you some of my gifts along my journey as it takes its turns and twists. There will be a mix of my love for birds in God's great gift of nature, a few guiding-life principles, a healthy sense of humor, the blessings of relationships, and some of my own life experiences like breast cancer,survivorship and even that ugly old word divorce.
Please come back and visit and share with me your thoughts and experiences.